Press conference 30. Oktober 2006
Hubert von Goisern:
Linz Europe Tour 2007 - 2009
Hubert von Goisern
Martin Heller (manager Linz 2009)
Copyright: Linz 2009
Download Press Photos
Press conference
Hubert von Goisern: Linz Europa Tour 2007 - 2009
Press conference, 30th October 2006, 11.00, MS Austria Princess, Shipping pier Linz, Brandner Schiffahrt GmbH
Hubert von Goisern, Musician
Dr. Erich Watzl, Vice mayor and cultural advisor of the city of Linz, chairman of the board of directors of Linz 2009 GmbH
Martin Heller, Manager Linz 2009
Wolfgang Lorenz, ORF Subdivision Manager Planning and Coordination
Engineer Wolfgang Mosser, Brandner Schiffahrt GmbH
Engineer Karl Georg Doutlik, Representation of the European Commission in Austria
Linz Europe Tour 2007 – 2009
A Project for Linz 2009 – European Capital of Culture
In 2009 Linz will be a European capital of culture. The energy and possibilities offered by this great task and opportunity are now being linked together with the unusual plans of Upper Austrian musician Hubert von Goisern – the Linz Europe Tour. Hubert von Goisern will start on his journey from Linz in Spring 2007: firstly to eastern Europe, then to the West and finally - full of new experiences - back to Linz.
Linz 2009 is proud and curious about this collaboration with Hubert von Goisern; manager Martin Heller describes him as an “authentic and rich artistic individual, free from any cliché.” And: “From the very beginning there was an unbelievable and essential energy surrounding this project among all concerned and a feeling of necessity – the best pre-requisite for a successful and mutually stimulating cooperation.”
Linz is therefore a starting point, centre and finishing point for this musical expedition to follow the currents of Europe. As the home harbour, the capital of culture forms an ideal intersection point of European axes and supports this artistic project of political and economic East-West integration.
The Danube and harbour form significant components of the public perception of Linz, both inside and outside the city. The aim is to reinforce this perception in the public consciousness. Both have great appeal within the framework of this large-scale cultural exchange project and are to be staged on a European platform: the flow of the Danube as a guide and the Linz harbour as the final highlight of this two-year tour.
Hubert von Goisern’s journey, made possible by Linz 2009, offers the future capital of culture the chance to form various and diverse contacts and to promote trans-cultural encounters. The important tasks to be carried out by a European capital of culture include addressing what is (still) unfamiliar within Europe and exploring the new systems of values and unknown concepts. Last but not least, the project sees itself as a definite commitment to an open Austria which rejects any xenophobic populism.
Accompanied by a European media campaign and a co-produced film project at a European level, the Linz Europe Tour provides the ideal conditions for communication in the form of artistic emotions and statements – something which Linz 2009 is striving to achieve, in addition to other more customary forms of public relations.
The Facts
Linz Europe Tour 2007 – 2009
2007: Tour East
2008: Tour West
2009: Back Home in Linz - Linz 09 Harbour festival East -West
The Project
Hubert von Goisern tours Europe as an ambassador for Linz 2009.
From Spring 2007, Hubert von Goisern will be travelling along the waterways of Europe on a cargo ship which has been transformed into a stage. His aim is to meet with artists from 13 Danube counties using music as a communal language.
The tour will stop at approximately 44 sites along the waterways of Europe and use concerts to explore the differences and similarities throughout a diverse Europe and its various regions using the language of music.
Linz is both the starting point and centre of this unique project. Hubert von Goisern will be exploring the East from here and taking musicians with him on board to the delta of the Black Sea who will play and rehearse with him as well as giving concerts in 20 different harbours. In 2008, they will visit the West: via Passau and Regensburg to Rotterdam, making the journey back rich with completely different experiences of Europe.
Linz is the home harbour for this expeditions ship. Here the final ‘Back Home’ celebration of the expedition will take place in Summer 2009. A festival in the form of a large-scale concert event lasting several days and bringing together the artists of the Linz Europe Tour will be held to mark this occasion in the European capital of culture.
Hubert von Goisern
Hubert von Goisern – born in 1952 in Bad Goisern – is known as the founder of Alpine rock. For more than 15 years he has been known to the German-speaking public as one of the most successful representatives of this pop-cultural musical genre.
His projects and ideas always involve cultural exchange between musicians to break through the barriers of ancestry, skin colour and language. He has demonstrated his commitment and ability to creatively involve his musical partners during various tours and through his collaboration with musicians from all over the world.
The Linz Europe Tour 2007 – 2009 Ship
The MS ‘Wallsee’ will be Hubert von Goisern’s tour ship. It will be pushing a barracks ship which provides room for the artists, technical staff and the project team as well as a barge with a stage specially created for the tour. All elements of a high-quality concert stage will be available as well as a recording studio to generate high-quality recording material on-site.
